Nuclear Medicine Communications 

About: Nuclear Medicine Communications is an academic journal published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Scintigraphy. It has an ISSN identifier of 0143-3636. Over the lifetime, 6323 publications have been published receiving 83638 citations. The journal is also known as: Nucl. Med. Commun..

PET versus SPECT: strengths, limitations and challenges

Abstract: The recent introduction of high-resolution molecular imaging technology is considered by many experts as a major breakthrough that will potentially lead to a revolutionary paradigm shift in health care and revolutionize clinical practice. This paper intends to balance the capabilities of the two major molecular imaging modalities used in nuclear medicine, namely positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The motivations are many-fold: (1) to gain a better understanding of the strengths and limitations of the two imaging modalities in the context of recent and ongoing developments in hardware and software design; (2) to emphasize that certain issues, historically and commonly thought as limitations of one technology, may now instead be viewed as challenges that can be addressed; (3) to point out that current state of the art PET and SPECT scanners can (greatly) benefit from improvements in innovative image reconstruction algorithms; and (4) to identify important areas of research in PET and SPECT imaging that will be instrumental to further improvements in the two modalities. Both technologies are poised to advance molecular imaging and have a direct impact on clinical and research practice to influence the future of molecular medicine.

99Tcm sestamibi--a new agent for parathyroid imaging.

Abstract: Parathyroid imaging using 99Tcm sestamibi has been carried out prior to surgery in five patients with hyperparathyroidism and the results compared with a standard preoperative localization technique using 201Tl (thallous chloride). The 99Tcm sestamibi correctly localized all abnormal glands and showed higher parathyroid to thyroid uptake in three of four parathyroid adenomas. Both agents showed localization in a thyroid adenoma. The higher uptake of sestambi and better imaging properties of its 99Tcm radiolabel means that the agent may replace thallium for routine preoperative parathyroid localization.

Guidelines for the measurement of glomerular filtration rate using plasma sampling.

Abstract: The guidelines are being written specifically in response to the results of an audit carried out during 2001 on the values of GFR calculated at different centres in the UK. This showed that there was considerable variability in the results obtained from the analysis of the same set of experimental data (Cosgriff et al, 2002). The variation is due principally to the different data analysis techniques being used.

A pharmacological guide to medicines which interfere with the biodistribution of radiolabelled meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG).

Abstract: SummaryRadiolabelled meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is widely used in the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of patients with tumours of neural crest origin. Some commonly prescribed and readily available over-the-counter medicines interfere with the uptake and biodistribution of this radiopharmace

111In oxine labelled mesenchymal stem cell SPECT after intravenous administration in myocardial infarction.

Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown therapeutic potential if successfully delivered to the intended site of myocardial infarction. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of 111In oxine labelling of MSCs and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging after intravenous administration in a porcine model of myocardial infarction. Adult farm pigs (n=2) were subjected to closed chest experimental myocardial infarction. 111In oxine labelled MSCs (1 x 10(7) to 2 x 10(7) cells) were infused intravenously, and SPECT imaging was performed initially and on days 1, 2, 7 and 14. High quality SPECT images were obtained through 2 weeks of imaging. High initial MSC localization occurred in the lungs and slow progressive accumulation occurred in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Renal activity was mild and persistent throughout imaging. No appreciable accumulation occurred in the myocardium. It is concluded that 111In oxine radiolabelling of MSCs is feasible, and in vivo imaging with SPECT provides a non-invasive method for sequentially monitoring cell trafficking with good spatial resolution. Because intravenous administration of MSCs results in significant lung activity that obscures the assessment of myocardial cell trafficking, alternative routes of administration should be investigated for this application.